Over the past couple of years, there has been a huge resurgence in body horror. The latest film fitting in that subgenre is the feature film debut of writer and director Michael Shanks, Together. Tim and Millie have been together for years, and their relationship has stalled a bit. After making a big move to a small town, the couple encounter a dangerous, unnatural force threatening their relationship, their bodies, and their lives.

Together is one of my most anticipated films of the year, and it did not disappoint. At the core of this story is one of a co-dependent couple trying to salvage their unravelling relationship. It’s a story many couples can relate to, showcasing how things can become stagnant after so many years together. Shanks really does a fantastic job of establishing the issues between Tim and Millie, allowing the audience to get to know who these people are before throwing in the body horror. It alters the dynamics and changes things in unexpected ways. I especially appreciate how, early on, Tim is the one who first notices something is wrong, while Millie remains in denial. It’s a fantastic role reversal, as in most horror films it’s the woman who is not believed by her significant other. This is a film that could easily exist without the horror aspect, but it certainly makes for a far more cheeky, disturbing, and memorable watch.

Layered into the character-driven drama of Together is a fascinating mythos to deliver the horror. What really makes this side of the plot so brilliant is the delicate balance struck by Shanks. At first, the audience is in the dark along with the characters. Yet as the story progresses, everything begins to make more sense. It’s a mythos that reveals just enough for the audience to grasp what’s happening to the ill-fated couple without over-explaining every little detail. It leaves some answers shrouded in mystery, which ultimately adds to the terror. Not to mention it all leads to a shocking final shot that will have jaws on the floor, some from shock and some from laughing.

Casting a real-life couple to star in Together was a risky move, but it definitely paid off. Dave Franco (Fright Night, Love Lies Bleeding) stars as Tim. At first, Franco makes Tim a pretty unlikeable character. He is clearly dealing with some trauma, but the indifference he projects towards his partner is unwarranted. Once the story takes a turn, his love, desperation, and panic take over, allowing Franco to show what he’s really capable of. Alison Brie (The Rental, Promising Young Woman) plays Millie. Millie is the perpetual optimist and caretaker, which doesn’t change even as their situation becomes more dangerous. Brie brings a lot of heart to her performance, while also giving one of the most traumatizing physical performances I’ve seen in a while. Because these two are married in real life, the romantic chemistry between them is fantastic. Yet, it’s when feelings of disdain or annoyance are at the forefront, that these two really shine. Every emotion comes across as authentic, proving these two are a perfect pairing, both on and off screen.

While the trailer for Together might have given audiences a glimpse into the horrors to come, nothing can prepare you for the grotesque sights and sounds that await. Through a combination of practical effects, CGI, and physical performance, the film delivers some of the most gruesome, horrific visuals as these two characters are forced closer together than any couple should be. The practical makeup also helps to show each character’s health decline as their situation gets worse, and it creates a few bloody, realistic wounds. Along with this visuals is absolutely incredible sound design. It creates a nauseating soundscape to accompany the couple’s transformation, guaranteed to get under the skin. Other eye-catching moments involve disturbing parallel action shots, subtle production design, and one amazing set with a design straight from a nightmare.

Together delivers a relationship drama oozing with the kind of grotesque body horror guaranteed to ruin date night (in a good way). Shanks managed to take an intimate look into one couple’s lives and turn that story on it’s head by weaving in pitch black humor and uniquely terrifying lore. It’s gross, unnerving, and delivers plenty of scares. Franco and Brie bring the emotion and terror, giving what might be the best performances of their careers. Whether you want it or not, this is a film that will be seared in the audiences’ brains. Be sure to see Together on the big screen beginning Wednesday, July 30th, and keep an eye out for what Shanks does next.

OVERALL RATING: 8.5/10